Urinary incontinence after vaginal delivery or cesarean section

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Gynecology
• Public Health

Background:

• Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition affecting women's quality of life.
• Understanding the prevalence and types of UI in specific populations is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of stress, urge, and mixed urinary incontinence in women in Jundiaí, Brazil.
• To investigate the association between UI types and obstetric history.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, community-based study involving 332 women in Jundiaí.
• Data collected via a pre-tested questionnaire based on the EPINCONT Study.
• Statistical analysis using chi-squared test and odds ratio (95%CI).

Main Results:

• 23.5% of women reported UI; stress UI was most common (50%), followed by mixed (35%) and urge (15%).
• Factors associated with stress UI included age (35-64), BMI ≥ 30, and delivery type (vaginal or cesarean with contractions).
• Factors associated with mixed UI included age (≥55), BMI ≥ 30, and ≥3 vaginal deliveries.

Conclusions:

• Approximately one-third of women experienced UI, with stress UI being the predominant type.
• Cesarean section without prior contractions was not linked to stress UI.
• Body mass index is a relevant factor, particularly in the presence of stress incontinence.